PLANS to change the use of a Carlisle rail freight terminal so it can be used to manufacture nuclear waste storage containers for Sellafield have been approved by Cumberland Council's planning department.

The application, which was submitted by Carrs Engineering UK, was to change the type of goods stored at the freight terminal in Brunthill Road on the Kingstown Industrial Estate.

The decision to grant planning permission was made on Thursday (August 1) and it was subject to a number of planning conditions.

A planning report states: "In overall terms, the principle of the change of use of the building is acceptable and would not have a detrimental impact on the visual amenity of the area or on the amenity of the occupiers of neighbouring properties, highway safety or biodiversity.

"In all aspects the proposal is compliant with the objectives of the NPPF, PPG and relevant local plan policies."

A separate report states: "The site benefits from a railway siding which connects to the wider rail network in Carlisle.

"The site sits to the west side of the industrial estate and can be easily accessed from the A689 which has close connections to the M6 and A7.

"The site is surrounded by large industrial and warehouse developments. The site is roughly rectangular shaped and is one hectare in size."

Previously, according to the report, the site was used as a cement distribution depot since 2002 but that use ceased late last year and the building has remained vacant ever since.

The applicant is hoping to use it for a more traditional mix of uses including the manufacturing and assembly of large steel storage containers which would then be shipped, using the rail freight siding, to the nuclear waste processing and storage and nuclear decommissioning site at Sellafield.

According to the report the containers would be used for storing radioactive waste and the application form also requested the change of use to cover a light industrial use to allow for a range of industrial and manufacturing uses within the site.

The report adds: "There are no external alterations proposed, the application solely relates to the use of the building. Some internal reconfigurations may be required to suit the occupier's needs however this is out of the scope of the planning requirement.

"There is an existing access onto Queens Drive serving the southern yard area and a further access onto Brunthill Road serving the northern yard area. No changes are proposed to these access points."

According to the report HGV movements are expected to be an average of two vehicles in and two out per week. It adds: "Car movements are expected to be 12 movements in and 12 out twice per day."